One of Disneyland Park’s oldest and most beloved attractions, Peter Pan’s Flight, has recently come under fire from some guests who describe the ride’s experience as unexpectedly “violent.” As visitors continue to seek out this timeless Fantasyland adventure, a handful have shared that the 68-year-old attraction’s jerky ending has left them feeling a little worse for wear.
Peter Pan’s Flight, which has transported fans to Neverland since Disneyland Resort first opened in 1955, was designed as a whimsical journey that brings guests face-to-face with iconic scenes and characters from Disney’s Peter Pan (1953). While the classic Fantasyland dark ride’s charm has enchanted generations, some guests now say its aged mechanisms lead to an uncomfortable ending.
Redditor u/polopolo05 recently voiced their concerns, describing the final stretch of the ride as so rough that it felt like “a car crash.” The guest wrote, “I rode Peter Pan [for] the first time this year, and at the end where it locks in… I got tossed around like a rag doll. It was like being in a car crash. My abdomen and back [are] still aching a bit. I had to sit down after. It was not ok.”
Other guests chimed in, echoing their experiences with the classic dark ride. “Our 9-year-old insisted that we go on this ride before we left for the day,” shared Reddit user u/headhurt21. “No [Lightning Lane] for that, so we had to wait forever. Largely unimpressed with the ride. Very short and jerky.”
In fact, one guest even reported a startling collision on Peter Pan’s Flight. Reddit user u/Fancy-Line-91 wrote:
“[I] thought it malfunctioned when our little boat slammed into the wall at the end. I asked a cast member if that’s supposed to happen, and he chuckled and said, ‘Yeah, it happens a lot…’ Not a very smooth ending for such a cute ride.”
Despite these recent complaints, Peter Pan’s Flight remains a staple of Disneyland Park and Magic Kingdom Park’s Fantasyland, cherished for its nostalgic charm. Walt Disney Imagineers regularly assess and update attractions, as seen with recent changes to outdated cultural depictions within Peter Pan’s Flight. This beloved attraction recently saw scenes featuring Tiger Lily and the Native Chief updated to reflect a more respectful portrayal of Indigenous characters.
Are there any Walt Disney World Resort or Disneyland Resort attractions you won’t ride? Let How to Disney know in the comments.
Please note that the story outlined in this article is based on a personal Disney Parks guest experience. No two guest experiences are alike, and this article does not necessarily align with How to Disney’s personal views on Disney Park operations.
